The recent revitalization of Lexington Market provided a dynamic backdrop for an exceptional gathering spearheaded by the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW). On April 15, 2024, Lexington Market Day, unfolded under the warm April sun, drawing a vibrant crowd eager to engage with local businesses and the academic community.
Lexington Market Day was a vivid illustration of UMSSW's ongoing dedication to nurturing community relationships. The event seamlessly blended local commerce with educational opportunities, inviting attendees to support Baltimore's small businesses while learning about valuable resources offered by UMSSW.
Attendees of the Lexington Market Day event enjoy a meal while engaging with an insightful presentation.
The centerpiece of the event was the #ChangemakerTALKS segment, where recorded presentations from Lynn Michalopoulos, PhD and Lee Westgate, MBA, MSW, LCSW-C, were featured. Michalopoulos shared her extensive knowledge of global social work challenges and successes, highlighting UMSSW's commitment to both local and international community impact. Mr. Westgate presented on the critical intersections of diversity, inclusion, and health equity within the LGBTQIA+ community.
A highlight of #ChangemakerTALKS segment was the enlightening presentation by Tyrone Roper, MSW, director of the upcoming Rise Early Learning and Family Support Center, who provided detailed insights into the center's goals and operations. Part of a statewide network launched under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the Rise Center is set to make a substantial impact in Baltimore City. By partnering with families to enhance both life and cognitive skills for children, the center aims to lift the academic benefits of pre-K education and expand access to full-day pre-K programs. With its opening day eagerly anticipated, the Rise Center is poised to become a cornerstone for community and educational development, embodying the first pillar of the Blueprint initiative by supporting early childhood education and family engagement.
In addition to educational development, UMSSW is making strides in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) under the leadership of Neijma Celestine-Donnor JD, MSW, associate dean and director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her efforts to foster inclusive community spaces were a focal point at the event. Celestine-Donnor has been instrumental in establishing DEI affinity groups and organizing JEDI summits, which serve as a hybrid of "doing" and "being." These affinity spaces offer UMSSW community members a place to connect with others who share aspects of their identity, fostering a sense of belonging and community. The recent inaugural Justice, Equity, and Inclusion Summit marked a significant step in these efforts, and the upcoming DEI training sessions from the Leading for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Diversity (L.E.A.D.) Institute promise to further this impact. These sessions will help participants recognize individual biases, understand systemic oppression, and develop actionable steps for change.
The event also emphasized UMSSW's collaboration with various community partners through resource tables, which provided attendees with information and support from different UMB community partnerships. These tables were a hub of interaction, where community members could learn how to access resources for health, education, and social services.
As guests mingled and networked, they also enjoyed the opportunity to support the local vendors of Lexington Market with special vouchers, which encouraged spending within the community and underscored the event's theme of mutual support and economic uplift.
UMSSW's Lexington Market Day not only celebrated the diversity and vitality of Baltimore but also reinforced the university's role as a pivotal connector between academic resources and community needs. This event showcased the potential for future collaboration and continuous support, strengthening the bonds between the university and the city's vibrant community fabric.